Daniel scooped another handful of water out of the Dae-Leu basin in his tent, splashing it on his face. He could hear the pounding of music in the distance, the Rexunii celebration of their victory. Part of him wanted to take part in it. Drown his sorrows in as much wine as he could get his hands on, but he couldn’t bring himself to do it. He felt disconnected from them. In the back of his mind, he still saw them all as enemies. Destroyers of what he once held in high regard. The Ignos family. He remembered Oros, and his promise to help him find the other humans after the war. Sadness crept into his mind. The memory of his late friend, standing with confidence before the invasion.

There was a sudden knock on the wooden plank outside his hut.

Daniel turned to face the door, his hand poised to summon his blade. “Come in.” He called.

The fabric flap was pulled to the side, and Katrina’s head poked in. Looking at him apologetically. “Hey, Dan. I’m… not interrupting anything, am I?”

“No.” Daniel relaxed, grabbing a towel from beside the basin to dry his face. “What’s up?”

“I… you know.” She entered, but had the undeniable air of discomfort about her. “We haven’t had a chance to speak, since everything happened.” Her eyes fell to the floor. “I didn’t think it was important enough.”

“It wasn’t.” Daniel shrugged, his melancholy on full display. “And there really isn’t anything to talk about. It was a one-time thing, right?”

“Well.” She stiffened, a bit of her fire starting to return. “I don’t know. With the war being over now, we can discuss it, properly.”

“Kat.” He looked at her, his face deadpan. “Come on. You told me that something whispered in your ear, forcing you to jump me. I mean—”

“Something did, Dan.” She crossed her arms. “You know there’s some weird shit in this world. I felt it. It was unmistakable.”

“Alright? So, what the hell am I supposed to say to that? Sorry, someone or something forced you to sleep with me?” Daniel lifted his arms in frustration.

“Well, no, but.” She winced. “I don’t know, Dan, ok?”

“Look.” Daniel took a calming breath, collecting his thoughts. “We don’t have to worry about it. We can chalk it up to a mistake and leave it at that.”

“I wouldn’t put it like that.” Her eyes met his, several unreadable emotions behind them. “So, you wouldn’t be interested in pursuing something further?”

Daniel blinked at her, “Are you serious? After the foul play involved in getting it started?”

“Dan, whatever happened, happened. We’re here now and, I don’t know. It’s not like I don’t have feelings for you, that are completely my own.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea, Kat.” Daniel’s expression was deathly serious. “I think we should try and figure out if something actually did control you. And if so, how to prevent it from happening again.”

Katrina’s eyes widened, his words seeming to ring true to her. “How do we do it then?”

Daniel thought for a moment. With his new abilities, he had been extremely perceptive to spiritual energy. Even residual energy. Going so far as to see a spirits when they didn’t want to be seen. Looking at her didn’t set off any alarm bells. But maybe from within? “Let me examine your Dunem Dae Espa.” He said, holding his hands out toward her.

She glanced down at his offered hands, trepidation clear on her face, but placed her own in them. Daniel felt the callouses on her skin, the mark of a trained warrior, and someone who put great care and effort into everything they did. At the same time, they were delicate and feminine. He closed his eyes and poised himself to follow her into her version of the spiritual realm.

With a flash of light, he found himself standing in a meadow. With a pleasant breeze and a stream flowing with crystal clear water.

“Wow.” He said, admiring the serene setting they now found themselves in. “This is way better than mine.”

Katrina smiled, a small amount of pride on her face. “It’s come a long way.”

Before he answered, he felt a tinge of foulness to his left. His words caught in his throat as he turned toward the source.

“What is it?” She asked. “Do you sense something?”

He narrowed his eyes, scanning the lush vegetation for something that might be out of the ordinary. “I think so.” He said, starting to move in the direction.

Katrina followed behind him as he went searching for the anomaly like a hound. He came upon a tuft of grass that peaked out, seemingly benign to anyone who didn’t have the ability to perceive spiritual energy the way he did. He reached out his hand pressing grasping the grass, and yanked it up with all his strength. There was an explosion of dark energy that swirled around them. Katrina shrieked in surprise, raising her hands in a readying stance.

Daniel immediately recognized the energy as it assaulted his senses. A wave of nausea hit him, but he held firm, feeling his own power within diminish any harm it would have done to him. Dio’Mar… He thought, rage bubbling within him. The little spirit had a very distinct energy signature. At least to him. Like an easily recognizable flavor of food. He grimaced as he lifted his hands, willing his flame to engulf the swirling black energy.

He heard Katrina gasp in pain as the golden flames flared out, purifying the stain in this otherwise tranquil realm.

As the flames subsided, a sense of satisfaction came over him. The feeling swiftly left him as he heard whimpering behind him and turned to see Katrina curled up on the grass, her face twisted in pain.

“Kat!” He said, rushing to her. “You alright? What happened?”

“I don’t know.” She said through gritted teeth. “I-it hurts… everywhere.”

The sky above them started to flicker. Like a lightbulb that was on the fritz. Daniel stood away from her, looking up to the sky, unsure of what he had truly done. Suddenly out of the corner of his eye he saw a small glint of light floating several feet from her. Immediate recognition hit him, a power signature that was nearly identical to his own. He reached out and grasped it, feeling a calm warmth emitting from the ball of light. With a surge it erupted out of his grip, golden light smothering her. She shot up abruptly, her eyes glowing with the same light as the ball.

“Kat!” he reached for her, but stopped as she spoke.

“Oh God… Dan.” She said, her voice shaky with emotion. “I see it…” She whispered, tears trickling down her cheeks. “I see the downfall…”

Daniel raised his hand into the air, using his Dunamis to eject them from the Dunem Dae Espa. Within moments, and after a flash of light, he found himself back in his tent, holding her up. She looked at him, her eyes still glowing. “What the fuck did I do? I’m sorry, Kat. I thought—”

“We need to get to Avria!” She shouted, her eyes fading back into their original brown.

“We what?” He stuttered.

“Hurry!”

~

“What the hell is going on, Kat?” Daniel called after her as they rushed past dozens of tents. She didn’t answer him, just picked up her pace, using her Dunamis to power her movements. They made their way into the royal section, where all the members of Rexunii and allies of import were set up. Passed several guards who called out commands to halt, before realizing who they were. Katrina bounded past them toward the only stone hut that had lights shining through closed windows. There was a plaque above the door that read, ‘Avria of house Regios’.

Katrina burst through the entryway, which was nothing more than an elaborate curtain that hung, and Daniel followed shortly after.

Avria had been sitting at a desk on the far side of the room, and she shot up in an instant, her blade in her hand, ready to strike.

“Avria!” Katrina shouted, skidding to a halt before her stunned master.

“Katrina? What is the meaning of this?” Avria attempted to protest, but Katrina started looking around her room, until her gaze fell on an extremely expensive looking Jar of wine.

Katrina rushed to it, picking it up and inspecting it. She sighed in relief as she fingered the top, seeing it was still sealed.

“They’re trying to kill us!” Katrina shouted, lifting the Jar. “I saw it, Dan. I don’t know how. But I had a vision. Of the downfall of this world.”

Daniel reeled. “You had a vision?”

“What are you talking about, Katrina?” Avria huffed, walking toward her, reaching for the wine.

“No!” Katrina shouted, pulling it away. “They were supposed to poison us tonight! Everyone. You, me, Dan… and… And Alektor! And Telmos and Delmos! Everyone!

“Who!?” Daniel asked, his adrenaline starting to pump throughout his body.

“The Espi-Dae.” Avria hissed, glaring at the Jar. “This was a gift from them. A sign of their acceptance, and a gesture of peace.” Her eyes widened, “Where are my father and brother?”

“I saw Delmos at the main celebration.” Katrina said, “He was with me and Alektor.”

“Come on!” Daniel yelled.

The three of them burst out of the stone hut, running with Dunamis enhanced speed to the center of the celebrations. While Daniel was running, he saw hundreds of Dae in various states of the festivities. Dancing around floating balls of flame, playing music and drinking the night away.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

They entered the large clearing in the center of the camp. Thousands of Rexunii were in the midst of their celebration. More bonfires blazed, and the booming rhythmic music of the Rexunii blared. Daniel looked over the top of the sea of people and saw Alektor’s royal platform, raised near the center. They pushed through the crowd shouting for people to get out of the way. As they approached the platform, Royal guards blocked their path.

“Out of the way, fools! Your High King is in danger!” Avria yelled pushing them aside.

They dashed up to the top of the platform, where Alektor was sitting at his small table with Delmos of House Regios, and Telmos, his father. Alektor looked at the three of them, in surprise.

“Is everything alright?” He asked, concern starting to show.

“You are all in danger.” Daniel said.

“Who told you such a thing?”

“I did!” Katrina moved to the front.

Alektor’s face suddenly became very serious. “What do you mean?”

“The Espi-Dae are trying to poison you.” She said, looking down at the center of their table, where several ordinary jars of wine sat.

Alektor cocked his head. “The Espi-Dae were just here. We spoke about you all in fact. They just left.”

“Did they say anything?” Daniel asked, “Do anything out of the ordinary?”

“No, they just gave us all their support.” He gestured to Telmos and Delmos.

“Did they give you that wine?” Daniel asked.

Alektor looked down at it, and his eyes suddenly went wide. “They did.”

“The Espi-Dae wouldn’t dare attempt such a thing.” Telmos said, “They would be hunted down.

Alektor nodded, “It would indeed be foolish of them to make an attempt on my life.”

“I saw it.” Katrina shot back, grabbing the jars from the table and inspecting them.

“There are very few poisons that would escape my senses,” Alektor declared, his bowl hovering near his nose as he inhaled cautiously. “Yet even fewer that would—” His voice cut off, eyes widening in sudden alarm. “Wait…”

Telmos choked, a cough racking his frame as blood seeped from his lips, staining his chin. His eyes, filled with a mix of terror and rage, met Delmos'. “Avria…” he managed to whisper, his voice fading.

Delmos, in an attempt to aid his father, reached out but was seized by his own violent cough. His hand, stained with his blood, paused mid-air, unable to assist.

Alektor clutched his chest, his face contorted in agony. “Clever… fools,” he gasped out, before a blue wave surged from his mouth.

Around them, the royal guards burst into frantic motion. Their Dunamis flared, as they tried to counteract the poison .

“We were too late!” Katrina's voice shattered the chaos, her tone sharp with panic.

“Too late?” Avria's voice broke, her face a canvas of confusion and dread. “What do you mean too late!? We got here as fast as we could!”

Daniel's heart felt like it was trying to escape his chest. Not again, he thought, the weight of recent struggles pressing down on him. They had barely survived the last upheaval, and now this. “What is it, Avria?” he demanded, desperation threading through his words. “What kind of poison? How do we save them?”

Avria dropped to her knees beside the victims, her hands shaking as they hovered over their writhing forms. Her gaze was wild, tears threatening to spill. “Please,” she begged, her voice a desperate plea, “by the Spirit’s mercy, please no! If it’s what I fear, they've been poisoned by the blood of a Reg’kula... a spirit beast... it will turn their own Dunamis against them, corrupting them from within... Once ingested, there is no cure.”

“No!” Daniel's cry was raw, his hand gripping Delmos's shoulder with a strength born of denial.

His mind reeled, thoughts tumbling over each other like stones in a storm. There must be a way, he insisted silently, his resolve hardening against the tide of despair. How could he save this world, protect those he cared for, when chaos loomed so near?

Daniel closed his eyes and let himself fall into his Dunem Dae Espa. The bright sun above was shielded now by hundreds of lush trees. What was once a desert, was now a paradise. He took a moment to look around, then found the pillar of gold, standing tall in the middle of a spring, that flowed with clear and cool water.

“Raguel!” Daniel called, “I need your help! Please!” Daniel frantically looked around the oasis, his heart pounding in his chest. He didn’t know how long he had, but from the state of them, he knew somehow that they would be dead soon.

“Raguel!” He yelled again, unsure if the mysterious being was even present.

“I am here.” A voice said from behind him.

Daniel whirled around and saw the cloaked man sitting on a rock.

“Raguel…” Daniel said, walking up to him. “I need your help. My friend, and his father, and Alektor! They’re dying. This world will be plunged into chaos if they die right now. You have to help them!”

Raguel’s blue eyes studied Daniel for several moments. “The nations rage, the kingdoms totter; he utters his voice. And the earth melts.” He said, standing and walking toward Daniel.

“The earth?” Daniel asked, unsure if he heard the man’s words correctly.

“You hold in your hands, the power of life and death. A flame that has seen the ages of man turn to glory, and to ash. And you call out to me, to help you.”

“I…” Daniel held his hands up. “I don’t understand.”

“It is not the power of man that grants strength. It is the depth of one’s faith. Fear will alter your heart. It will corrupt you. Do not fear. You already know what you have to do.”

Daniel gazed at his hands, the words of the strange being echoing in his mind. Looking up, he found himself alone; Raguel had disappeared. He closed his eyes, taking a long, steadying breath. "The power over life and death," he whispered, feeling the echo of those words within him, like a solemn oath.

Looking within himself, he saw the golden light of his power, not merely a flame, but a blazing white star. This power had been his weapon on the battlefield, its light the harbinger of his enemies' end. But now, he pondered its softer, healing potential. He thought back to moments of self-healing, to the cleansing touch it had brought to Katrina's Dunem Dae Espa. A resolve hardened within him, fortified by the urgency of the moment.

Opening his eyes, he returned to the grim scene before him. He reached out, his hands finding the shoulders of Delmos and Telmos. As he made contact, a bright, white-gold light enveloped them, emanating from Daniel. The onlookers recoiled, not from fear but from the overwhelming presence of his unfamiliar energy. Daniel's heart swelled with purpose as he guided the cleansing fire into their bodies, watching as the golden light flowed through their veins, eradicating the darkness of the poison with each pulse.

Moving to Alektor, who lay still, Daniel's hands once again glowed, the light a beacon of hope in the bleakness. The healing light entered Alektor, seeking out the last vestiges of corruption.

With a heavy exhale, Daniel's strength waned, and he slumped, the emotional and physical toll evident in his weary posture.

"Dan?" Delmos's voice, now clear of the poison's grip, was laced with awe and confusion. "What… what did you just do to us?"

Telmos looked at his once bloodied hands, now clean, then at Daniel with eyes filled with wonder. "Spirit-Sent," he said, his voice carrying the true weight of the title.

Avria, overcome with emotion, threw herself into the arms of her father and brother, her cry a testament to the relief and love that overwhelmed her.

And there, Alektor, his eyes now open, wide with a newfound understanding and respect, met Daniel's gaze. "You... you saved our lives... Spirit-Sent," he said, his voice a mixture of reverence and gratitude, the words trembling with the depth of their implications.

~

After the harrowing incident, the group sought refuge in Alektor’s personal hut. The spacious interior had been transformed by Dae-Voh, who manipulated the earth itself to sprout additional seating and tables, accommodating the solemn assembly.

Alektor, his face still pale from the poison's touch, sat rigidly on his throne, surrounded by the tense figures of Turak, Ambrosia, and a cadre of Rexunii nobles whose expressions were a mixture of relief and simmering anger. Daniel, his strength sapped, sat at a table with Katrina, Avria, Delmos, and Telmos, the latter two still bearing traces of blood on their clothes, a grim reminder of the evening's incident. The room buzzed with low, urgent whispers, the atmosphere thick with the scent of impending retribution

Alektor raised a hand, silencing the room. “I will start,” Alektor's voice boomed, resonating with gratitude, “by thanking Daniel, the Spirit-Sent, for saving not just my life, but also those of Telmos and Delmos.” He paused, his eyes meeting Daniel's. “We are in your debt.”

Delmos, with a hearty slap on Daniel's back, beamed with a mixture of relief and camaraderie. Telmos, his gaze still carrying the weight of reverence, watched Daniel with a newfound respect.

“And to Katrina.” Alektor continued. “Whose intuition and quick thinking, much contributed the same.”

Katrina nodded with a weary smile, placing her hand on Daniel’s.

Alektor's face hardened as he then spoke of their adversaries. “We are continually appalled by the Espi-Dae’s depravity. Their evil truly knows no bounds. I did not think they would stoop to such vile methods as poison, especially something as rare and deadly as Reg’Kula blood in Eleutheros.” He lifted his bowl in a toast towards Daniel. “What you did, Spirit-Sent, is nothing short of a miracle.”

The room erupted in cheers and affirmations, but Daniel felt a disquieting weight with each accolade. He simply nodded, his silence revealing nothing of the burden he carried.

“I am well,” Alektor declared, his voice firm with resolve. “And rest assured, that the perpetrators of this heinous act will pay dearly for their lack of success. and I will ensure that tonight, every one of us has a double the guard. Tomorrow, I will name Telmos of House Regios as King and protector of Lokkadonia. We will then return to Vul De Rah for his coronation.” He scanned the room, his gaze fierce. “They are already preparing for our return. We will have peace in our time; and any subterfuge, poison, or sabotage will break upon us like waves on a cliffside! Eleutheros will be united!”

The declaration was met with a fervor of agreement, the collective spirit of the room rising to meet Alektor’s call for solidarity. Daniel, amidst the fervor, felt a complex mix of pride, duty, and the somber realization that his journey, and the tests it entailed, were far from over.

Daniel stood, his movements slow, then bowed to Alektor. The murmurs of the crowd faded as he walked out of the hut, each step a deliberate choice to contemplate the questions burning within, in solitude. Outside, the cold night air seemed to welcome him, the darkness somehow soothing after the intensity of the night. He watched as people dispersed, their silhouettes merging with the shadows, seeking the comfort of their own spaces.

He glanced at his hands again, the power of life and death... The cryptic words of Raguel echoed in his mind, an enigma that gnawed at his understanding. What was he? What did it all mean? His contemplation was cut short by a gentle touch on his shoulder. Turning, he met Avria's gaze.

“Hey,” he managed, trying to smile, though the effort felt hollow. “You alright?”

Avria sighed, then suddenly embraced him, her grip firm, her head buried against his chest. “Thank you, Daniel,” she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

He felt the dampness of her tears soak through his tunic. Avria crying was a rare sight, a stark contrast to her usual stoic demeanor, the closest he'd seen being when Oros had died. Daniel wrapped his arms around her, offering silent comfort. She had endured much since the fall of Vul De Rah, and now, with the weight of uncertainty and fear pressing upon her. Fear corrupts the heart, he recalled Raguel's warning.

“You saved my family,” she said, lifting her head, her eyes now dry but still reflecting the storm beneath. “I am in your debt, again.” With a nod, she released him and stepped back, her figure quickly swallowed by the night. Daniel remained, the chill of the evening air now matching the numbness in his mind.

Alektor approached, his guards flanking him. With a dismissive wave, they halted, allowing him to speak privately with Daniel. “Daniel,” he greeted, his voice carrying a note of solemnity.

“Hey,” Daniel replied, somewhat subdued.

“I meant what I said in there,” Alektor stated, his eyes on Daniel, then shifting to where Avria had vanished. “I am pleased that you are so close with Lady Regios. She is vital to Lokkon's future, as are you.”

“She’s strong,” Daniel said with a shrug. “I’ll help her any way I can.”

Alektor's expression became serious. “I must be honest with you, Daniel. I have been contemplating what you and Katrina will do now that the war is over, and some semblance of stability is within sight. I will not make this decision for either of you. So, I must ask; what do you plan to do now?”

Daniel thought about it, somewhat unprepared for the question. What would they do now that the war was over? With determination his original mission came to mind. That’s right, he thought, then met Alektor’s eyes. “I was promised by Oros, before the fall of Vul De Rah. That He would help me find the other humans. I want to find them. As many as I can, and bring them to Eleutheros. I need to. If you say you’re in my debt, you will help me do this. I want every resource.”

Alektor took several moments to contemplate. “Do you know where they are?” “No.” Daniel said, “But I know who does. A cult of Espi-Dae out of Baa’Yega, and Exous. They are tracking us. They know where at least some of us are.” “Do you intend to take Katrina with you?” Alektor asked, surprising Daniel.

“She told me she wanted to go, way back when I first mentioned it to her.” Daniel said, “But if she changes her mind. I’ll go about it on my own.” Alektor nodded, and looked up toward the night sky. “You have my full support on this. But depending on who you want to take. There are some needed here to help rebuild Eleutheros. We are weakened, and cannot remain so. Foolish kings of Eleutheros are not the only threat we face.”

“I understand.”

“When we return to Vul De Rah.” Alektor continued. “I want you to rest. Take some time to build your plan. You will have every resource I have at your disposal. Then, when you are ready, you can embark on your mission.”

“Thanks, Alektor.” Daniel nodded, the comforting prospect of a new mission before him.